120 johnson v4 Hard To start

Ok so i just got the boat, now when it come to boat motors i feel helpless. Car i know. Well i know i have some problems with the linkage when my handle is in the up position my motor will start but when it does its in gear full throttle in reverse. So i have got that to figure out, but what my thing is when i put the handle down and see the butterflys closed on the carb it wont start. I thinking clogged jet or something?? But when it does start i go to throttle down and it starts to bog, give it more throttle it catches let it set for a bit, start to bring it back down bogs?? The other thing i noticed there was almost a oil looking substance leaking out of the prop. New to boat motors but pritty sure that not normal. If anybody got any ideas that would be great. Thanks for your help.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

What's the model number? Different years have different ignition systems.

Two stroke motors self-drain after use. The excess oil that does not burn drains out through the exhaust. See: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=207285

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

Ya know i don't even know where to look for the model #. I don't even know the year i have looked on the motor and see no stamping or anything that would look like a id # . Where should i be looking for that.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

If you can, take some pictues and post them here.

There is a welch plug with the serial number between the cylinder banks; it may have the model number as well.

There was a sticker on the port transom bracket with the model number.

1988 and newer engines have QuikStart ignition systems, recognized by the extra wire running from the temperature switch in the port cylinder head to the powerpack. The extra wire is white with a black stripe.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

ok here are the pic

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

I can see it well enough to know that it is 1988 or newer. That means that you have QuikStart if it's working.

QuikStart is a powerpack function that automatically advances the timing whenever you first start the engine. It holds the advance for 5 seconds regardless, but releases it after the water temperature reaches 96 degrees F. or when the engine turns 1100 RPM, whichever occurs first.

QuikStart engines are hard to start if the QuikStart function is not working correctly.

To start the engine, squeeze the primer bulb until resistance is felt, raise the warmup lever some, push in the key to activate the primer solenoid and turn the key to start. Keep the key pushed in until the engine fires, then tap it in occasionally if the engine seems inclined to stop. If you leave the warmup lever up too far, the engine will run above 1100 RPM and QuikStart will release prematurely.

Did you find a model number on the welch plug?

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

So i started the motor today and it is really spraying oil from around the prop. I had my trucked parked about 5 feet away and it covered my door with oil. I put some pics on the prop after about 20min after i shut it off. could it be a seal in the lower unit.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

looks like standard exhaust oil to me, the oil above the anti-cavitation plate out of the ports there is the giveaway. being that the oil and water come out the prop hub, it can seem like a lot more oil is in there than really is. May want to do a decarb (search here on Iboats) on the engine if the amount of deposits seems too much, but 2 strokes are a messy motor.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

You can't burn all of the oil that is mixed with the gas while running the engine with no load; it's got to go out with the exhaust. You can cut down on the environmental impact by using synthetic oils that are biodegradable. The engine will run cleaner if the thermostats are working properly.

Re: 120 johnson v4 Hard To start

That engine looks like my J120TLARK which had a major oil consumption problem. Running it in a barrel would spew oil everywhere like that. A New VRO pump cured the oil problem on my engine. Also check with the engine off and cover off, turn the key "on" but dont start it and listen for a "click" to make sure the primer solenoid is working.